Agronomy for Development: The Politics of Knowledge in Agricultural Research (Pathways to Sustainability)

Over the last decade there has been renewed interest in food security and the state of the global food system. Population growth, climate change and food price spikes have combined to focus new attention on the technologies and institutions that underpin the production and consumption of food that is varied, nutritious and safe. This book is aimed at professionals working in agricultural research as well as students and practitioners of agricultural, rural and international development.. Using bio-physical and social sciences perspectives to address the political economy of the production and use of knowledge in development, this edited collection reflects on the changing politics of knowledge within the field of agronomy and the ways in which these politics feed and reflect the interests of a broad set of actors. Agronomy for Development demonstrates how the analysis of knowledge politics can sh

This book is a refreshing contribution to this debate." Professor Achim Dobermann, Director, Rothamsted Research, UK"Agronomy for Development: The Politics of Knowledge in Agricultural Research should be read by both agronomists and development professionals. This requires re-thinking by everyone involved, including agronomists themselves. This book enlarges the discussion around development agronomy and offers tools for a more meaningful engagement of the subject. Over the past 40 years, agricultural development has become increasingly competitive. The high expectations of impact inevitably lead to disappointment. Presented by the foremost thinkers in the field, this is mandatory reading for agronomists, food systems actors and all of those engaged in development and contestation."Professor Sieg Snapp, Department of Plant, Soil and Microb

James Sumberg is Research Fellow in the Rural Futures research cluster at the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) and a member of the STEPS Centre, University of Sussex, UK.